Ronny Stephens is the publisher of Midtown and 5 West (formerly Cary Living) magazines. He is also partnering in launching Triangle Family magazine. Originally from Havana, Florida, he has lived in Raleigh and Chapel Hill for 40 years. Ronny launched Cary Living in 2003 and Midtown in 2007. Prior to creating Cary Living and Midtown, Ronny published Homes and Land of Raleigh magazine, which he started in 1978. Ronny lives in north Raleigh and has four children. He lives with his son, Matthew, and his chow, Max. Ronny loves his Florida State Seminoles, golf and fishing.

Joe brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in sales, strategic partnerships, and community engagement to his role as publisher of Midtown and 5 West magazines. A graduate of Millbrook High School in Raleigh and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Joe has built his career helping organizations grow through innovative strategies, consultative selling, and brand development. His professional journey spans senior roles with global leaders like Merck, McKesson, and IQVIA, where he consistently delivered results by building trusted client relationships and driving new business growth.

As publisher, Joe combines his proven business acumen with a passion for connecting communities, supporting local businesses, and shaping compelling lifestyle content for the Triangle region.

Outside of work, Joe enjoys exploring new local restaurants, traveling on adventures with friends and family, spending time with his two daughters, and hanging out with his dog (and best buddy), Bo.

Kyle joined Midtown and 5 West in February 2024, bringing years of editorial experience and a passion for storytelling. Originally from Iowa, she moved to North Carolina in 2017 after nearly a decade in Northern Virginia. With a degree in English Literature, Kyle began her career in project management before launching Literatus Editing & Prose, where she works with self-published authors and teaches writing classes for the Town of Cary. As editor, she blends creative vision with community connection, drawing on her love for local culture and her experience as a writer and literary coach. She lives in Cary with her husband, two sons, and Labrador, Rosie Cotton. In her free time, she enjoys fantasy novels, video games, knitting, and cheering on NC State and the Carolina Hurricanes—though she’ll always be an Iowa Hawkeye at heart.

Sean joined the Midtown and 5 West team in March 2021. Prior to that, he worked for several regional publications, including Carolina Parent, Artsee and Metro. A graduate of the School of Art and Design at East Carolina University, Sean has worked as an illustrator, graphic designer and marketing manager for major corporations including Fujitsu and IBM. Additionally, he served for years as web art director for Early Design Group, where he oversaw and designed projects in both digital and print for clients in industries as varied as education, real estate development, dining and health care. Sean lives in Raleigh with his four-legged son, Harry. In his free time, Sean writes and illustrates for the children’s market.

Collin Pruitt is originally from Reidsville, North Carolina, and has spent his entire life in the Tar Heel State. A proud UNC–Chapel Hill graduate, he earned his degree in advertising and public relations in 2022. While at UNC, Collin gained hands-on experience in the marketing world through roles at Helium Agency, a sports marketing firm, and at the 1893 Brand Studio, a student-run marketing agency affiliated with The Daily Tar Heel. There, he served as a campaign strategist, account manager and managing director. Following graduation, Collin joined The Daily Tar Heel full-time as director of revenue and growth, where he oversaw all business operations, led advertising sales, managed a student sales team and continued running the 1893 Brand Studio. Outside of work, Collin is an avid golfer, reader, scuba diver and skier. He’s passionate about storytelling, audience engagement and creating innovative marketing strategies. In his new role at Midtown and 5 West, Collin is especially excited to grow and enhance the magazine’s digital advertising revenue, helping local businesses connect with readers in meaningful and creative ways.

Dathan joined the Midtown and 5 West team in August 2022. Before joining the company, Dathan worked for Triangle Business Journal for over 19 years. At TBJ, Dathan was the publication’s design editor and contributed to writing and photography. As a native Californian, Dathan got his feet wet in advertising design, working for the Merced Sun-Star, Atwater Signal and San Jose Mercury News. Dathan lives in north Raleigh with his wife, Jennifer, and their two rescue felines: Winifred Waffles and TiaMisu. Dathan loves hiking and visiting state parks, and is passionate about collecting wine. He has been to over 100 wineries in the state.

Mackenzie joined the Midtown and 5 West team in 2025 after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in psychology. During her time at UNC, Mackenzie dedicated much of her free time to working with StrongHER TogetHER, a non-profit focused on empowering girls through peer support and building community among young women. This experience deepened her commitment to collaboration and breaking down stereotypes—values she carries into her professional work today. With a passion for people and a genuine curiosity about how they think, she brings insight, empathy, and focus to every client relationship. Originally from Greensboro, NC, Mackenzie now lives in Raleigh with her dog, Indi. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, painting the occasional canvas, or snuggling with Indi. As an account executive, Mackenzie is driven by a love for problem-solving and a commitment to building meaningful, long-term partnerships with clients.

Jessica joined the Midtown and 5 West team in April 2025. With a background in public health, Jessica is also an entrepreneur and lifestyle content creator. She is the founder of Taste of BLK and co-founder of Carolina Cosmic Collective, two ventures rooted in celebrating culture, creativity, and community. With a passion for supporting local BIPOC businesses, Jessica is dedicated to using her platforms to uplift underrepresented voices and foster meaningful connections through storytelling and intentional work. In her free time, she finds joy in spending time with loved ones, discovering foodie spots across the Triangle, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

Cindy joined 5 West (formerly Cary Living) in 2005 and helped launch Midtown in 2006 as its first art director. She left full-time work in the office in 2008 to have children, but continued working as the publications’ copy editor from home. In 2018 she rejoined the office staff to fill in with writing and design work as needed, and still serves as copy editor for Midtown and 5 West. Cindy started her college career at UNC’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media, then transferred to N.C. State University’s College of Design to earn her degree in graphic design. Born and raised in the Triangle area, she and her family recently moved to Colorado, where she enjoys hiking, baking, kayaking and adventuring with her husband and two sons in their camper.

Jessica Bratton is a photographer, videographer, and creative director with over a decade of experience capturing vibrant editorial, commercial, and event work. She regularly contributes to Midtown and 5 West and now serves as the official staff photographer for both publications. Her work for the magazines has included everything from dynamic fashion spreads and food features to major event coverage and artist profiles—always with an eye for composition, color, and story. Jessica has covered high-profile events such as New York Fashion Week, Miami Swim Week, and Raleigh’s Dreamville Festival. Her lens has also taken her abroad, creating luxury content for private villas, hotels, and restaurants in destinations like Thailand and Costa Rica. With a sharp eye for fashion, food, hospitality, and culture, Jessica brings a vibrant, story-driven approach to every project.

Sofia, a passionate fashion and personal stylist, brings years of experience and a deep love for style to Midtown’s fashion department. Inspired early by the women in her life, she has always believed that style is a personal expression—accessible to everyone. Though she initially earned a degree in International Business, her career ultimately led her back to fashion, working in export roles that reignited her dream. She pursued formal training in styling and built a loyal following through volunteer work, social media, and personal client consultations. Today, she continues to empower individuals through practical, approachable style advice—both in print and through her private styling services—always aiming to help people feel confident, authentic, and seen.

As a fashion and color stylist with a background in makeup artistry, Rachel has a natural eye for style and an intuitive approach to helping others feel seen and confident. She is passionate about creating personalized, empowering experiences that honor who her clients truly are—bridging the gap between authentic self-expression and the often unrealistic expectations of the fashion world. Her work is curated, refined, and grounded in both creative instinct, training, experience, and a deep understanding of how style can transform the way we feel and show up in the world. Rachel brings her expertise to 5 West  as the style consultant, lending her vision and insight to help showcase the evolving fashion and lifestyle scene in Western Wake.